Church Canon Laws - baptisms, marriages, burials and more

 

The Canon Laws of a Church dictate the way its members should live, salaries of church clerks and pastors, allowable penalties, and also includes the rules of baptisms, marriages and burials. 

Marriage laws were actually dictated by the civil courts, but the church could give penalties if a marriage went against what the church believed.

In some of the earliest church laws if a child was not baptized within 30 days of birth the father was fined, and if the child died before being baptized the father had to give up everything he owned! Baptisms differ only slightly in religions as to who can be baptized, as the church wants as many souls as possible. (Turn page for who may be sponsors). A conditional baptism is often seen in early records.

Canon Law of Catholic Church 1920

Some gave rules about god-parents or sponsors.

Presbyterian Law 1884

One of the canon laws that was discussed since at least 1761 in all the churches at some time or another, is the "marriage with a deceased wife's sister". 

Presbyterian Law 1882

I don't know about you, but I have at least a couple of ancestor relatives who married their sister-in-law when their wife died. Especially when there were young children involved.

 

The laws of the church were also strict about who could be buried on holy ground. 

Church of England - Burials 1850

All religions have canon laws and you can look up what they were for the religion of your ancestors. 

Relevant Links

What is Presbyterian Law as defined by the Church Courts 1884

A Dictionary of Canon Law, Catholic Church 1920

Laws and Canons of the Church of England 1850,  Vol 1

Laws and Canons of the Church of England 1850, Vol 2

Today's Code of Canon Law - Catholic Church

Church Handbook for members of the Anglican Communion 1907

The Parson's Handbook, Church of England 1902

Laws of the Church of Scotland 1830

Supplement to the Laws of Church of Scotland 1836

Laws and Discipline of the Methodist Church in Ireland 1889

Catholics and the Marriage Bill 1866

Marriage with the Sister of the Deceased Wife Presb. 1868

Marriage Act - various years and places

Serendipity Sunday - Memoirs of the Irish Martyrs

This is a publication I came across while looking for memorials of my ancestors...  

Memorials of those who suffered for the Catholic faith in Ireland 

in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries

At the back there are two indexes, one of names and one of places. 

The Salvation Army - Missing Persons

"The Salvation Army [started in London in 1865] is a Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organization. The organization reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7 million, consisting of soldiers, officers and adherents collectively known as Salvationists."

My great grandparents, Alexander Mavor and Rebecca Campbell were Salvationists in Montreal. Although my grandfather didn't stay in after he returned home from the war, he still loved the marching music and I grew up with him singing Onward Christian Soldier, the hymn adopted by the Salvation Army as their processional. 

War Cry - First Issue - 1 Nov 1884

The War Cry, the official gazette of the Salvation Army began in Nov 1884.

"The Family Tracing Service (sometimes known as the Missing Persons Service) was established in 1885, and the service is now available in most of the countries where The Salvation Army operates. The Tracing Service's objective is to restore (or to sustain) family relationships where contact has been lost, whether recently or in the distant past. Thousands of people are traced every year on behalf of their relatives."

They later added a column in the War Cry titled We are looking for you.

War Cry 12 Apr 1924, pg 12

Over 150 Salvationists were onboard the Empress of Ireland when it sank 29 May 1914. Many of them were listed, some with photos, in the War Cry. 

The War Cry, 27 Jun 1914, pgs 12

Notes of Memorial Services across Canada start on the previous page. 


The War Cry linked below is a Canadian publication although it has International news as well. Check your local library for The War Cry editions in your Country.

In the United States the Salvation Army had it's first meetings in October of 1878 in Philadelphia. The US version of The War Cry was published in Chicago. 

In Australia the first Salvation Army service was held in 1880 in Adelaide. The Salvationists were nicknamed Salvos. They were often mentioned in the papers and journals at Trove.  The War Cry of Australia and Tasmania was published in Melbourne.

In New Zealand the first officers arrived in Dunedin in 1883, and until 1912 they were administered from Australia.  Featherston Camp was a training camp during WWI and the Salvation Army set up Featherston Hostel for soldiers and relatives. 

The Salvation Army Soldiers' and Relatives Hostel, Featherston

Auckland War Memorial Museum Collection

Salvationists are mentioned often in the Featherston Camp Weekly. 

Featherston Camp Weekly, Vol 2, No 6. November 2nd, 1918, pg 15

The War Cry for New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa was published in Wellington, and copies can be found at their archives. 


In 1908 the The Royal Commission on The Care and Control of The Feeble Minded published a list of women (identified by initials only) received into the Salvation Army Rescue Homes in the UK during a period of three years.

British Sessional Papers, Inventory Control, Record 1, Volume 36, pg 573

    

Check your local library or archives, or a Salvation Army Archives for more information on your Salvation Army ancestors.



Relevant Links

History of the Salvation Army

War Cry, Salvation Army publication Canada (Missing Persons ads)

Salvation Army War Cry Archives, with search  

Featherston Camp Weekly. New Zealand

Royal Commission on The Care and Control of The Feeble Minded Vol 2, 1908 

The Canadian advance: being a record of the progress of work of the Salvation Army in the dominion of Canada during the year 1886 (list of donations)

Public Schools of Newfoundland Under Salvation Army Boards 1907 (teachers)

Salvation Army Year Book, Detroit 1971

Salvation Army Year Books London

Salvation Army of Canada Jubilee Program 1894

Salvation Army in Philadelphia 1912

Soldiers Without Swords A History Of The Salvation Army In The United States 1956

Orders and regulations for field officers of the Salvation Army 1917

All the world. A quarterly review of the Salvation Army 

Western congress addresses c1906, Chicago

The Salvation Army in the United States : Christmas, 1899

Salvation Army Songs and Music 1917

Tragic Story of the Empress of Ireland, 1914 (Salvation Army)

Related Posts:

Genealogy Challenge - Salvation Army Band

Genealogies of Ministers of the Church of Scotland

This book, The Succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation, has genealogical information of the ministers for the Synods of Aberdeen and Moray. 

   

My great-great-grandfather Alexander Mavor lived in Ellon and was working at Cross Stones Farm. It so happened there was a house servant named Margaret Bruce working for Mr and Mrs Lamb at Crosshill Farm, Ellon, about 4.5 miles away. She took his fancy and they were married 6 Aug 1853 in New Deer, where Margaret's family lived. 

They were married by the Reverend James Welsh. 

Reverend James Welsh is mentioned in the book under New Deer. You can see it tells where and when he was born, his father's name, his education, dates of milestones, family names, etc.. 

Ministers of New Deer, James Welsh, pg 219

Included at the back of the book are a list of other reading material for the histories of the parishes, an index of parishes and chapels, and an index of ministers.

There are books for other synods, check the index at the beginning of each book.



Relevant Links

Vol 1: Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale

Vol 2: Synods of Merse and Teviotdale; Dumfries; and Galloway

Vol 3: Synod of Glasgow and Ayr

Vol 4:  Synods of Argyll; and of Perth and Sterling

Vol 5:  Synods of Fife; and of Angus and Mearns

Vol 6:  Synods of Aberdeen and Moray

Vol 7: Synods of Ross; Sutherland and Caithness; Glenelg; Orkney; Shetland; and synod of the Church of Scotland in England, Ireland and Overseas    


 

Irish Catholic Directory and Almanac

Catholic mothers always hoped one of her many sons would become a priest. If you can't find your Irish ancestor's son, try the Catholic Directory and Almanac. 

The Irish Catholic Directory and Almanac has lists of clergy, lists of Catholic Peerage...lords, knights, members of parliament, etc., names and dates of holy days and also stats on population and immigration.

The Alphabetical List of Clergy has names from not only Ireland, but Australia, Canada, USA and other countries.

1920 Almanac, List of Clergy, pg 346

Here is a site that contains the abbreviations used in the almanacs.

There is a section on each college with names of professors and officials, etc, and a list of priests ordained within the year, listed by college.

1920 Almanac, List of Priests Ordained, pg 477

  
It also has an obituary section..

1920 Almanac, Obituary List, pg 472

Another publication that may be of interest, is the book of Memorials of Catholic Irish Martyrs

Relevant Links


Irish Catholic Directory and Almanac

Memorials of those who suffered for the Catholic faith in Ireland 

Mennonite, Amish and Hutterite Heritage

Mennonites are Christians of the Anabaptists denomination, named after Menno Simons of the Netherlands. Anabaptists also include hutterites and amish.  There are some Anabaptist religions among the Pennsylvania Dutch, but most of them were Lutheran or German Reformed.
    

Historical Background and Annals of Swiss and German Pioneer Settlers

I came across the MAID website the other day, which got me curious as to what else is available for genealogy research.  MAID stands for Mennonite Archival Image Database.  It holds images of Mennonite people, places and events all over the world. There are many mennonite communities across Canada. 

Herebelow are links to some genealogy resources for mennonites, amish and hutterites.


Relevant Links

Mennonite Archival Image Database (click on Browse for advanced search)

Mennonite Historical Society of Canada

Centennial history of the Mennonites of Illinois 1829-1929

1952 Mennonite yearbook and Directory

Amish-Mennonites at Kempsville, Virginia, 1900-1970

The Gospel Herald

The Mennonite

Mennonite Genealogy (choose country from menu)

Historical Background and Annals of Swiss and German Settlers

Swiss Anabaptist Genealogical Association

Oregon Mennonite Historical and Genealogical Society

Ezra Eby Revived:  Ontario Mennonite, Amish, and Brethren in Christ family history

Hutterites and Mennonite genealogy at FEEFHS (choose under Religion tab)

History of the Mennonites of Butler County, Ohio 1916

Little known facts about the Amish and the Mennonites: a study of the social customs and habits of Pennsylvania's "plain people", 1938

Canada 150 - Canadian Baptists

During our country's 150th anniversary celebration of confederation I will write posts titled Canada 150 with a link to a publication or website I find that may help you tell the story of your Canadian ancestors.
Click on the Canada 150 label on the right or at the bottom to see all the posts.

Today I have for you...

Canadian Baptists

Look for lists of members of the church, and other ancestors mentioned in these publications...

Coloured Baptists of Nova Scotia, pg 90, mark 94

Relevant Links

The Baptist year book for Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and the North-West Territories and British Columbia, 1900

The Baptist year book of the Maritime Provinces of Canada 1883

Eleventh report of the Canada Baptist Missionary Society

Annual report of Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec 1889

Fifty years: Baptist ministers and churches of the Maritime Provinces of Canada 1880

A jubilee review of the First Baptist Church, Brantford, 1833 to 1884

A brief history of the coloured Baptists of Nova Scotia 1832

A semi-centennial historical sketch of the Grande Ligne Mission 1885

Minutes of the special meeting of the Nova Scotia Baptist Association 1843

Historical sketch, covenant and list of the officers and members of the West Yarmouth Baptist Church, Chegoggin, N.S 1897

Historical sketch of Brussels Street Baptist Church St-John, NB 1900

The Baptists of Canada 1911

Canada 150 - Séminaire de Québec

During our country's 150th anniversary celebration of confederation I will write posts titled Canada 150 with a link to a publication or website I find that may help you tell the story of your Canadian ancestors.
Click on the Canada 150 label on the right or at the bottom to see all the posts.

Today I have for you...

Séminaire de Québec

The Grand Séminaire de Québec was founded in 1663 to prepare young men for ordination and ministry in parishes and missions as far away as Louisiana.

Old Séminaire de Québec

The Petit Séminaire de Québec was founded in 1668 and serves as a secondary school, preparing students to enter the grand seminaire.

Names of students who finished their studies at 

Petit Seminaire de Quebec from founding of school to 1848

Relevant Links

Catalogue des officiers et les élèves du Séminaire de Québec

1848 à 1853

1875 à 1895

1896 à 1905

1905 à 1915

1915 à 1928 

Churchwarden's Accounts

The Churchwarden was a volunteer position and he had many duties in the church. There is an account of the role of a Churchwarden here. Being a man of importance he usually had a special pew in the church.

He had to keep track of all the inventory and property owned by the church, make sure taxes were paid and rents collected. The churchwarden kept an account book which hold names of some parishioners and amounts paid to people for goods or services.

Some older ones have been transcribed and the introductions have bits of interesting information ...

 Churchwarden's Accounts of the Town of Ludlow 1838, pg v/mark 12

The churchwarden wrote in his accounts all monies paid out and received. This passage is from the churchwarden of St Martin's in Leicester, 1552

St. Martins, Leicester 1552, pg 60 / mark 77

Fourth item down reads: Received of Mr Manbe ye 3rd day of May at ye burial of his son for 4 bells, 20 pence.

In these old records s = shillings and d = pence. The roman numerals are using a j as a number one. The sum of 20 pence in 1552 would have been valued at about £16.7 today.

In the French Catholic church he is called a Marguillier, and you may find the names of some of them in books of the history of the parish.


Relevant Links

Churchwardens' accounts of the Town of Ludlow, Shropshire c1540-1594

Churchwardens' accounts in the Parish of North Elmham, 1539 to 1577

St Martin-in-the-Fields churchwardens accounts, City of Westminster,1525-1603

Churchwardens' accounts, Parish of St.Andrew, Canterbury; 1485-1625

Churchwardens accounts of S.Martin's,Leicester, 1489-1844 w/subscriber list

The Churchwardens' accts of St. Michael's in Bedwardine, Worcester, 1539 – 1603

Churchwardens' Accounts of Pittington and Other Parishes in the Diocese of Durham

Churchwardens' accounts from the fourteenth century to the close of the seventeenth century, see index of various parishes arranged by counties.

Churchwardens' accounts of St. Mary the Great, Cambridge, 1504 to 1635

Churchwardens' accounts of S. Edmund &S. Thomas, Sarum, 1443-1702, with list of churchwardens, and plans of St.Thomas  Church, City of New Sarum 1745

The parish of Ashburton [in] the 15th and 16th centuries : as it appears from extracts from the churchwardens' accounts,A.D. (1479-1580)

The church-wardens accounts of the parish of St. Marys, Reading, Berks, 1550-1662

Church-wardens' accounts of Croscombe, Pilton, Patton, Tintinhull, Morebath, and St. Michael's, Bath, ranging from A.D. 1349 to 1560

Churchwarden Accts of Cratfield parish,Suffolk,1490 – 1642

Kilmington (East Devon) churchwardens'accounts 1555- 1608

The first book of the marriage, baptismal,and burial registers, of Ecclesfield Parish, Yorkshire, from 1558 to 1619; also the churchwardens' accounts,1520 – 1546

Memorials of St. Margaret's church, Westminister, comprising the parish registers, 1539-1660, and other churchwardens' accounts, 1460-1603

Historical notices and recollections relating to the parish of Southam, in the county of Warwick, together with the parochial registers from A.D. 1539, and churchwardens' accounts A.D. 1580

The transcript of the registers of the united parishes of S. Mary Woolnoth and S. Mary Woolchurch Haw in the City of London,1538 to 1760 w/list of churchwardens

An account of the church and parish of St.Giles, without Cripplegate, in the city of London. Compiled from various old authorities, including the churchwardens' accounts, and the vestry minute books of the parish

L' église de Cap-Rouge, w/ list of Marguilliers

Notre Dame de Jacques-Cartier, 1851-1951;w/ anciens marguilliers

Records of the parish of St. Christopher le Stocks, in the city of London

Short account of Church work, Diocese of Newcastle NSW, 1878

Canada 150 - The Church Society

During our country's 150th anniversary celebration of confederation I will write posts titled Canada 150 with a link to a publication or website I find that may help you tell the story of your Canadian ancestors.
Click on the Canada 150 label on the right or at the bottom to see all the posts.

Today I have for you...

The Church Society

You will find names on list of board members, on the list of subscriptions and donations, in the treasurer's report, under each town or county, etc.

Diocese of Toronto, 1869, Subscription Lists pg 173 / mark 67

Check what towns are in the Diocese, which is wide-spread.  The Diocese of Montreal encompasses towns south to the US border, west past Vaudreuil, and east around Granby and St Hyacinthe. 

Diocese Montreal 1853, Amounts raised in Parishes, pg 39 / mark 45

Look in your local library or archives for other Diocese reports. 

Relevant Links

Annual report of the Newfoundland Church Society

Annual Reports of the Diocesan Church Society of New Brunswick

Report of Diocesan Church Society held in the church hall in Fredericton, 1897

Standing Rules of the Diocesan Church Society of Nova Scotia, 1837

Annual report of the Incorporated Church Society of the Diocese of Quebec

Annual report of the Incorporated Church Society of the Diocese of Montreal

Annual Report of the Diocesan Church Society of Toronto

Annual report of the Incorporated Church Society of the Diocese of Huron

Bell Ringers, Change Ringers, Carillonneurs

The bell ringers, or change ringers, rang the bells of a church by pulling on ropes.  The bells were rung for special occasions and church services, as well as for rites like burials if you had the money to pay for the ringer.  In the 1500s church accounts, 3 bells for a burial would have cost 8 pence, and 5 bells would have cost 5 shillings and 4 pence. The value of 5s 4d for the year 2005 was about £82.

Ringing the bells at St Paul's Cathedral on New Years Eve

Church Bells of England, pg 77 and 75

Different sizes and weights would have their own tone. Churches could have more or less 4-10 bells and the ringers would develop their own peals or use known peals. You can read about change-ringing here. You can see how a peal is constructed and listen to a Plain Bob Minor peal in right column, and another toward the bottom of the page.

Elements of campanalogia,1868;  pg 134

A carillon is an instrument of bells, played by pedals or a special keyboard. It is more likely to be found in a cathedral or a city tower.

According to the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America ... "A carillon is a musical instrument consisting of a series of at least 23 tuned bells, played from a keyboard that allows expressiveness through variation in touch, and on which the player, or carillonneur, can play a broad range of music."

Le Petit Journal, France, 12 Apr 1914

If you search "church bells" at HathiTrust you will get many results for the United Kingdom and the United States, including the Early Bells of Paul Revere. The church ones will tell you the different types and weights of bells they have, the inscriptions on the bells, and the bell founders.

Also check for an association of change ringers/bell ringers in your city, state or country. Meetings and members were often mentioned in the newspapers.


Relevant Links

Clavis campanalogia, 1788 w/list of subscribers

An account of the Society of Union Scholars, established, A.D. 1713, with the members' names, rules, and peal book, the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers

Practical remarks on belfries and ringers,1860-61

Carillons of Belgium and Holland : w/ lists of Carilloneurs of various countries 1914

List of Carilloneurs (wikipedia)

List of Carillons world-wide with photos and number of bells

Past Carillonneurs of Bournville, UK

Dominion Carillonneurs of Canada, 1927 to present

The Carillons of Canada

The Church Bells of Devon, 1872

Church Bells of England (founders), 1912

The Scottish Association of Change Ringers

Church bells, peals and church bell chimes,1912

Elements of campanalogia, 1868